Part II: General Questions about Project Management
Points: 40%
Time allowed: 1 hour
Q1. Define what Project mean? (5%)
Q2. Read the following assumption and provide your reply for the questions 'a' and 'b' under.
(15%)
Assume that you are a team member of one of the project which is implemented by Ethiopian
Electric Utility (EEU). The Project Manger assign an activity 'Al' for you and the output of this
activity is always delivered by you. The other team members of the project staffs have not
exercised this activity. One day you left office for the project site visiting. You have tried your
best to minimize your stay at site and successfully resolved the challenges which hindered the
progress of the site activities. Because of your absence from office work, activity 'Al' was
delayed for more than a month and one of the project contractor who affected by this delay
submitted its claim letter to be compensated as per the agreement with EEU.
a) Who is responsible for the delay of activity 'Al' and additional cost claimed by the
contractor? Why?
b) What arrangement should have been done to avoid such problems in your project office?
Q3. Read the following basic information and provide your reply for the questions 'a' and 'b'
under. (15%)
Ten Towns Distribution Network Strengthening Project has been established to rehabilitate and
upgrade the existing distribution network of ten regional and zonal towns which were selected
by EEU. This Project is financed by the World Bank. Under this project, the total length of
medium voltage networks to be rehabilitated and upgraded is 1,000 Km and the total quantity
of new distribution transformers to be installed is 500. Two (2) years have been allocated to
complete this Project with a total budget of 45 million USD.
a) List down at least three (3) stakeholders of this project
b) List down the three (3) baselines of this project with their respective quantities
Q4. Teamwork plays important role in project management. Mention at least four (4) reasons
why teamwork is vital for effective project management. (5%)
Answer
Q1 define what project mean
ChatGPT
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. It
involves a series of planned and coordinated activities that are executed within a specific
timeframe and budget, with the aim of achieving specific objectives. Projects are usually
initiated to address a particular need, solve a problem, or pursue an opportunity.
Projects are characterized by the following key features:
Temporary: Projects have a defined beginning and end. They are not ongoing operations but
have a specific duration during which the project team works towards its goals.
Unique: Each project is distinct and has its own set of objectives, deliverables, and
requirements. Even if there are similarities with previous projects, each project has its own
unique characteristics.
Defined Scope: Projects have specific boundaries and a clear scope that outlines what is
included and what is not. The scope defines the project's objectives, tasks, and deliverables.
Resources: Projects require resources such as human resources, funding, equipment, and
materials. These resources are allocated to the project to enable its successful execution.
Multidisciplinary Team: Projects typically involve a team of individuals with diverse skills and
expertise who work together to achieve the project's objectives. The team members collaborate
and contribute their specialized knowledge to complete the project.
Constraints: Projects are subject to constraints such as time, cost, quality, and scope. These
constraints define the boundaries within which the project must be completed and require
careful management to ensure project success.
Progressive Elaboration: Projects often evolve and progress over time. Initially, the project's
details may be less defined, and as the project moves forward, more information becomes
available, allowing for greater clarity and precision in planning and execution.
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to
successfully complete a project. It involves defining project goals, creating a project plan,
allocating resources, monitoring progress, and making adjustments as necessary to ensure the
project's objectives are achieved.
User
Q2 Read the following assumption and provide your reply for the questions 'a' and 'b' under.
(15%)
Assume that you are a team member of one of the project which is implemented by Ethiopian
Electric Utility (EEU). The Project Manger assign an activity 'Al' for you and the output of this
activity is always delivered by you. The other team members of the project staffs have not
exercised this activity. One day you left office for the project site visiting. You have tried your
best to minimize your stay at site and successfully resolved the challenges which hindered the
progress of the site activities. Because of your absence from office work, activity 'Al' was
delayed for more than a month and one of the project contractor who affected by this delay
submitted its claim letter to be compensated as per the agreement with EEU.
a) Who is responsible for the delay of activity 'Al' and additional cost claimed by the
contractor? Why?
ChatGPT
2/2
a) Based on the provided assumption, the responsibility for the delay of activity 'Al' and the
additional cost claimed by the contractor lies with the Project Manager. Here's the reasoning
behind this:
Assignment: The Project Manager assigned activity 'Al' specifically to the team member,
expecting them to deliver the output. Since the output of this activity is always delivered by
the team member, the Project Manager had a clear understanding of the team member's role
and responsibilities in the project.
Absence Management: As a responsible Project Manager, it is their duty to manage the team
members' absences effectively. In this case, when the team member left the office for the
project site visiting, the Project Manager should have anticipated the potential impact on the
project schedule, including activity 'Al.'
Lack of Contingency Plan: The Project Manager is responsible for developing a contingency
plan to address unexpected events, such as a team member's absence. If activity 'Al' was critical
to the project's progress, the Project Manager should have either assigned a backup resource,
revised the schedule, or taken appropriate actions to mitigate the impact of the team member's
absence.
Monitoring and Control: An essential part of project management is monitoring the progress
of activities and taking corrective actions when deviations from the plan occur. The Project
Manager should have been aware of the delay in activity 'Al' and intervened promptly to
address the situation.
Contractual Obligations: Since the delay of activity 'Al' resulted in the contractor's additional
costs claimed through a compensation letter, the Project Manager is accountable for ensuring
that project activities are managed efficiently to avoid breaching contractual agreements and
causing financial liabilities for the organization.
In summary, the Project Manager is responsible for the delay of activity 'Al' and the additional
cost claimed by the contractor because they failed to adequately plan for the team member's
absence, provide necessary support to resolve challenges in a timely manner, and ensure that
the project activities progressed as scheduled.
Q3. Read the following basic information and provide your reply for the questions 'a' and 'b'
under. (15%)
Ten Towns Distribution Network Strengthening Project has been established to rehabilitate and
upgrade the existing distribution network of ten regional and zonal towns which were selected
by EEU. This Project is financed by the World Bank. Under this project, the total length of
medium voltage networks to be rehabilitated and upgraded is 1,000 Km and the total quantity
of new distribution transformers to be installed is 500. Two (2) years have been allocated to
complete this Project with a total budget of 45 million USD.
a) List down at least three (3) stakeholders of this project
b) List down the three (3) baselines of this project with their respective quantities
Q4. Teamwork plays important role in project management. Mention at least four (4) reasons
why teamwork is vital for effective project management. (5%)
ChatGPT
a) Three stakeholders of the Ten Towns Distribution Network Strengthening Project could
include:
Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU): As the entity responsible for the selection of towns,
implementation of the project, and overall management, EEU is a key stakeholder. They will
oversee the project's execution, coordinate with the World Bank for funding, and ensure the
successful completion of the distribution network rehabilitation and upgrade.
World Bank: The World Bank, as the project's financier, has a significant stake in the Ten
Towns Distribution Network Strengthening Project. They provide the funding necessary for
the project's implementation, monitor progress, and ensure that the project aligns with their
guidelines and objectives.
Ten Regional and Zonal Towns: The selected towns are important stakeholders in this project.
They will directly benefit from the rehabilitation and upgrade of the distribution network within
their regions, which will improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply. The towns
may provide local support, facilitate access to project sites, and collaborate with EEU during
the project's implementation.
b) The three baselines of the project with their respective quantities are:
Total Length of Medium Voltage Networks: The baseline quantity for this parameter is 1,000
kilometers. It represents the existing length of medium voltage networks in the selected towns
that will be rehabilitated and upgraded as part of the project.
Quantity of New Distribution Transformers: The baseline quantity for this parameter is 500. It
indicates the number of new distribution transformers to be installed in the ten towns as part of
the network strengthening project.
Project Duration: The baseline for project duration is two (2) years. This indicates the allocated
timeframe for completing the Ten Towns Distribution Network Strengthening Project.
Q4. Four reasons why teamwork is vital for effective project management:
Collaboration and Coordination: Effective project management requires collaboration and
coordination among team members. Teamwork ensures that individuals work together towards
a common goal, share information, synchronize activities, and avoid duplication of efforts.
Leveraging Diverse Skills and Expertise: Projects often involve diverse tasks and require a
range of specialized skills and expertise. Teamwork allows project managers to leverage the
strengths and capabilities of each team member, leading to a more comprehensive and wellrounded approach to project execution.
Enhanced Problem-Solving and Creativity: Projects can encounter unexpected challenges or
require innovative solutions. Teamwork fosters an environment where team members can pool
their knowledge, experience, and perspectives to identify and solve problems effectively. It
encourages creative thinking and generates a broader range of ideas and solutions.
Mutual Support and Motivation: Projects can be demanding and stressful. Teamwork promotes
mutual support among team members, creating a positive and motivating work environment.
Team members can share the workload, provide assistance when needed, and offer
encouragement, which enhances individual and team performance.
Overall, teamwork fosters effective communication, synergy, and a collaborative spirit,
enabling project managers and teams to achieve project objectives efficiently and successfully.